抄録
In the aftermath of the 25 April 2015 earthquake, extensive efforts were undertaken to reconstruct historic settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. While previous studies have examined the reconstruction of temples and private houses, limited attention has been paid to post-disaster reconstruction at the scale of historic settlements as a whole, particularly from the perspective of commons and community-based governance that sustain living heritage. This study examines post-earthquake reconstruction in Khokana, a historic Newar vernacular village in Nepal that has been included on the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites since 1996. Drawing on long-term field research conducted between 2015 and 2025, the study focuses on the reconstruction of common buildings—such as temples and pati (communal rest pavilions, sometimes hosting deity statues)—that are routinely managed by residents and embedded in everyday life. Although many private houses were reconstructed using reinforced cement concrete (RCC), the overall vernacular “atmosphere” of the settlement has shown a remarkable degree of continuity. By evaluating the reconstruction of commons through Elinor Ostrom’s design principles for managing common pool resources, this study conceptualizes reconstruction as a process of reconstituting socio-spatial assemblages rather than merely restoring individual structures. The findings highlight the crucial role of commons in sustaining intangible cultural practices, traditional knowledge, and community life, thereby conserving the living heritage of historic settlements beyond conventional townscape or landscape conservation.
https://ror.org/000yk5876 
